The Philippine Senate today approved on its third and final reading Senate Bill No. 2805, also known as the MTRCB Act, a landmark piece of legislation poised to significantly broaden the regulatory scope of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) to include online streaming platforms.
MTRCB Act
Sponsored by Senator Robin C. Padilla, the bill aims to modernize the MTRCB’s mandate, which was originally established in October 1985, by extending its authority to the burgeoning digital landscape.
Senator Padilla emphasized the critical need for the Board to regulate video content on streaming services to uphold Filipino standards of decency and morality and, crucially, to safeguard young audiences from potentially harmful content.
Under the proposed law, “On-Demand Streaming Services” are defined as internet-based platforms offering curated video content for streaming or offline viewing. For paid services, the regulatory board will be empowered to demand a list and classification of all movies, series, and programs, with the authority to reclassify content after screening if deemed necessary.
The passage of this bill is set to equip the regulatory board with the tools necessary to address growing concerns regarding obscenity, immorality, and senseless violence prevalent on digital platforms.
Furthermore, the legislation also proposes an upgrade in the rank and salary of the regulatory board’s chairperson and vice-chairperson, equating them to a Department undersecretary and assistant secretary, respectively, reflecting the expanded responsibilities of the Board in the digital age.
Started his freelancing adventure in 2018 and began doing freelance Audio Engineering work and then started freelance writing a few years later.
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